At Hazel, addressing social determinants of health is a key component of our mission. Hazel was founded on the belief that the best health care addresses more than just physical or mental concerns, but also the social and environmental context surrounding a person's health and well-being.
Social determinants are grouped into 5 areas:
- Education access and quality - the link between a person’s access to quality education and their health, such as: school quality, access to tutors and guidance counselors, school safety
- Health care access and quality - the link between a person’s access to quality health care and their health, such as: medical coverage/insurance, access to preventive and acute medical care, health literacy
- Economic stability - the link between a person's financial situation and their health outcomes, such as: poverty, income, employment, housing stability, food security
- Neighborhood and built environment - the link between the environment a person lives or works in, and their health, such as: neighborhood safety, crime and violence, pollution (water, air, noise), transportation, parks, nutritious food, physical activity opportunities
- Social and community context - the link between a person’s relationships, social context, and their health, such as: incarceration, discrimination, workplace conditions, and having access to supportive relationships